Beautiful Weed, Terrible Rose

A weed so wild
nowhere to go
just sprouts
anywhere
trying to find a glimpse
of attention

It tries so hard
to capture the light
farther
and farther it leads
suffocation
from nature's other occupants

A rose so red
can grow
with the goodness of one's heart
but only
under the certain
circumstances

So beautiful it is
all alone and pure
but pick me up
and I bite you
give you fair warning
to keep away from me
and my family

The weed is so small
so misunderstood
pulled out from fear
and the prediction
of selfishness

A rose can be
beautiful at times
but with its fear in mind
it always has a barrier
of defense.

Adam Veatch